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The NAQCC September 2023 Challenge NAQCC Monthly Challenges are originated and information regarding rules, ideas, or suggestions go to Gary K1YAN. Email him at  .Challenge pages are constructed by Steve WB4OMM; if you see typos, please let him know! Email him at  .Challenge results and the Challenge App (the online Challenge tracking and reporting application) is administered by Charlie N1AOK. Email him with any questions at charlie.wilber AT gmail.com PLEASE SEND ALL CHALLENGE SUBMISSIONS TO CHARLIE!!! (If you use the online Challenge App, it will automatically send it to him). THE CHALLENGE APPLICATION HAS MOVED! THE NEW LOCATION IS: http://naqcc.wb5rvz.org The SQUAWK CODE Challenge  PREMISE: Your flight and a number of others are all converging on their destination airport. It is the job of the air traffic controller to get you on the ground and others into the air with no mishaps. He will need to accurately pinpoint all the aircraft in his area to accomplish this. When your flight first took off, the tower gave your pilot some directions, one of which was SQUAWK XXXX ( XXXX is a four digit code ). Your pilot then entered this 4 digit code into the planes transponder. The transponder, named for its functions of transmitting and responding, will send a package of data when polled by the airports secondary radar system. This exchange is done at 1090 mHz. The squawk code allows the air traffic control radar system to pinpoint and identify a particular aircraft. The system will receive an aircrafts altitude, call sign, data about destination, fuel, number of passengers and crew on board and more. Transponders come in different modes. A mode Alpha, typically found in non commercial aircraft, responds with only position data and squawk code. Some areas may not be legally entered with this minimal data. The next step up is the mode Charlie unit which adds altitude to the position data and squawk code. Then there is the top of the line, mode Sierra, which is found on commercial aircraft. It provides a full blown data response as well as data link messaging capability. Rules and regulations governing the type of transponder required and its use may vary by country. In addition to providing location and data, the transponder can be used to communicate several emergency messages by setting one of three, specific, internationally recognized, squawk codes. A code of 7500 indicates that a hijacking is underway and will set off a series of responses on the ground. Should you lose all your other radio communications a code of 7600 will tell the controller that you can no longer hear his directions. In response to this the controller may land you by using other means such as light signals. Finally a code of 7700 indicates an emergency that requires immediate assistance from the controller. That is the story of a very handy piece of electronics you will have working for you when you next take to the air. TIME FRAME: The first day of the month 0000Z through the last day of the month 2400Z. RULES: Just make these words from calls of stations you work, subject to the General Challenge Rules. SQUAWK CODE 1090 MHZ SECONDARY RADAR SYSTEM 7500 HIJACKING 7600 LOSS OF COMMUNICATIONS 7700 EMERGENCY The 87 total letters and numbers contain these 28 different letters and numbers: A C D E F G H I J K L M N O Q R S T U W Y Z 0 1 5 6 7 9 You can use each letter in a call TWICE. For example you could use K3WWP for 2 K's, 4 W's, and 2 P's. Subsequent QSO's with the same station cannot be used for additional letters. For example, no matter how many times you work K3WWP, you can only use his call for 8 of the letters in the words. See General Rule #5 for more details on what callsign letters can be used. If you need some help with your alphabet challenge record keeping take a look at our Alphabet Tutorial page for everything from some great pencil & paper methods to fully computerized tools. AWARDS: A certificate and Participation Point go to everyone making all the words and submitting their report before the deadline. A Participation Point goes to everyone making at least 1, but not all the words and submitting their report before the deadline. YOU MUST COMPLETE AND SUBMIT AT LEAST ONE WORD TO RECEIVE A PARTICIPATION POINT! PRIZES: A choice of an item made by master woodworker Gregg WB8LZG as shown on our prizes page here goes to someone selected via a random drawing from all who participate and submit a report for this month's challenge. A person can only win once, then they become ineligible for future drawings. LOGS: For your report, list the words you made and the station used for each letter in the word. The number of stations listed must be the same as the number of letters in each word, even though you use the same station for more than one letter as in: WORD - K3WWP N2OD WA8REI N2OD NEXT - NF8M W8REI N8XMS K9EYT (Note how N2OD is listed for both the O and D.) You may also include comments about the challenge. Please preface any comments you want posted with "SOAPBOX:" so we will know what you want posted and what is private. Send your results as text in the horizontal format shown above to Charlie N1AOK at: charlie.wilber AT gmail.com (You must type that address into your email program.) Subject must read: (your call) NAQCC (month year) Challenge For example: K3WWP NAQCC January 2022 Challenge All entries must be RECEIVED before the 10th of the following month at 2400Z. Results: All the above get a certificate and participation point. All below get only a participation point. Not eligible for a certificate or participation point for the following reason(s): @ = Non-member $ = QRO power Soapbox: |